Suction device and drive device

ABSTRACT

The suction device includes a suction port revolving around a revolution axis while sucking a fluid so as to generate an artificial tornado. The suction port revolves around the revolution axis while sucking the fluid, so that it is possible to generate an artificial tornado more stably.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/JP2017/022850 filed on Jun. 21, 2017, whichdesignated the United States and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2016-123282 filed on Jun. 22, 2016. Theentire disclosures of all of the above applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a suction device having a suction portfor sucking a fluid, and a driving device.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a suction device has a suction port for sucking a fluid.The suction device generates and sucks an artificial tornado.

SUMMARY

A suction device includes a suction port revolving around a revolutionaxis while sucking a fluid so as to generate an artificial tornado. Thesuction port revolves around the revolution axis while sucking thefluid, so that it is possible to generate an artificial tornado morestably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a suction device according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a front view of a suction device accordingto a second embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a side view of the suction device accordingto the second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the experimental state;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an experimental device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing experimental conditions of Example 1 andExample 2;

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the results of Example 1 (i.e., dry icemist);

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the results of Example 1 (i.e., dry icemist);

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the results of Example 1 (i.e., tuft);

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the results of Example 1 (i.e., tuft);

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a velocity distribution of a potential flow;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a velocity distribution in a case where thesuction port is revolved;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a distribution of vorticity on a horizontalplane;

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a distribution of the circumferentialvelocity on the horizontal plane;

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing the distribution of the circumferentialvelocity on the horizontal plane;

FIG. 12A is a graph showing a radial distribution of the circumferentialvelocity;

FIG. 12B is a graph showing the relationship between the maximum valueof circumferential velocity and the revolution number of revolution;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the mechanism for generating an artificialtornado (in case of “revolution radius<suction port radius”);

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the mechanism for generating an artificialtornado (in case of “revolution radius>suction port radius”);

FIG. 15A is a diagram showing the results of Example 2 (i.e., dry icemist);

FIG. 15B is a diagram showing the results of Example 2 (i.e., dry icemist);

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing experimental conditions of Example 3;

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing the results of Example 3 (i.e., dry icemist);

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing the results of Example 3 (i.e., dry icemist);

FIG. 18A is a diagram showing the results of Example 3 (i.e., tuft);

FIG. 18B is a diagram showing the results of Example 3 (i.e., tuft);

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an air conditioner according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a flow of a related suction port; and

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a suction device forgenerating a related artificial tornado.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 20 shows a flow by a related suction port. In the example shown inFIG. 20 (a), the potential flow generated by the usual stationarysuction port 105 is generated as shown by the arrow. In the example of(a), air as a fluid forms a potential flow and is uniformly sucked intothe suction port 105 at a speed inversely proportional to the distancefrom the suction port 105. Therefore, the suction flow is dispersedwithout directivity, and the suction airflow does not reach the floorsurface 125.

In the related technique shown in FIG. 20 (b), air is sucked into thesuction port 105 while forming the artificial tornado 131. In thisexample, the suction port 105 and the suction port duct 106 rotate inthe rotation direction 119. Then, due to frictional resistance betweenthe inner wall of the suction port duct 106 and the air, a vortex of airindicated by an arrow, that is, an artificial tornado 131 is generated.Since the dispersion of the suction flow is reduced by the artificialtornado 131 and the directivity of the suction flow is generated, thesuction airflow reaches the floor surface 125.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the suction device 101 for generating theartificial tornado 131 as shown in FIG. 20 (b). The suction device 101generates an artificial tornado 131 by rotating a cylindrical suctionport duct 106 having a suction port 105. The sucked air is exhausted tothe outside of the suction device 101 via the suction pump 103 and theflow meter 153.

The artificial tornado 131 is generated by the rotation of the suctionport duct 106 having the cylindrical shape. However, since the force ofrotating the air by the inner wall of the suction port duct 106 is weak,the rotational force of the artificial tornado 131 is weak and unstable.Therefore, it is difficult to continuously generate the artificialtornado 131.

Based on the above examples, apparatus generates and sucks an artificialtornado 131. A ventilator may generate an artificial tornado 131 byrotating a fan having a diameter larger than the suction port togetherwith a cylindrical duct fan having the same diameter as the fan at thesuction port. In this ventilator, since the entire length of thecylindrical duct is required to be twice or more greater than thethickness of the fan, the size of the ventilator becomes large. Also, itis necessary to provide a guide vane or the like inside the cylindricalduct and to install the guide vane integrally with the fan.

Alternatively, an air intake nozzle may provide an air intake porttogether with a conical duct attached to a suction port so as togenerate a swirling flow around the large diameter side of the duct.This intake nozzle becomes large, and a blower that supplies a jet flowto the air intake port is necessary.

Although the above apparatuses generate an artificial tornado with onlya structure for suctioning, a rotating cylindrical duct having the largediameter or a conical duct and a blower supplying a jet are required.

Alternatively, an air exhaust device may generate an artificial tornado131 and suck the air into a suction port by discharging the air so as toprovide the swirling flow from an air discharge port of four pipesforming the air curtain inside a zone, which is formed by the aircurtain on a downstream side of a large hood that collects a suctionflow around a suction port. This exhaust device requires a large-sizedhood, a pipe for an air curtain, and a blower for generating a dedicatedjet flow for the air curtain.

Alternatively, a ventilation device may have a large hood attachedaround a suction port, discharge a jet stream of outside air to theinside of the hood in the circumferential direction so as to generate aswirling flow, discharge the swirling flow as a primary tornado to thefloor surface on the upstream side, and generate a secondary tornado asa reflected stream of the floor surface so as to suck the air into thesuction port. This ventilation device requires a large hood, a blowerdedicated to the jet flow for generating the primary tornado, and afloor surface for generating the secondary tornado (i.e., the artificialtornado 131).

Alternatively, a firing cooking device with a ventilation device mayhave a suction port disposed on one side and a discharge port disposedon the other side, have a cylindrical duct provided on an upstream sideof the discharge port, generate a jet flow as a discharging and swirlingflow along the circumference so as to generate an artificial tornadofrom the discharge port, and sucks the air into a suction port. Thisfiring cooking device requires a discharge device on the other side ofthe suction port.

In the above devices, a floor surface and a device for blowing the jetflow are necessary not only on the suction side, but also on the otherside, and therefore, it is necessary to equip a large-size equipment.

Therefore, in the related devices using the artificial tornado, there isa difficulty that a large duct and a large hood for generating anartificial tornado, and a blower for the jet flow generating theswirling flow are required.

An example object of the present disclosure is to provide a suctiondevice for stably generating an artificial tornado on a suction side.

According to one example of the present disclosure, the suction deviceincludes a suction port that revolves around a revolution axis whilesucking a fluid. As described above, the suction port revolves aroundthe revolution axis while sucking the fluid, so that it is possible togenerate an artificial tornado more stably than before.

According to another example, when the suction port revolves around therevolution axis, a revolution zone is formed in a region inside theshape drawn by the outermost peripheral portion of the suction port.

By revolving the suction port and forming the revolution zone, air isdrawn into the suction port in the circumferential direction, andthereby generating the circumferential velocity vector Vθ in therevolution zone. The circumferential velocity vector Vθ provides asuction system that generates a strong and stable artificial tornado.Thus, it is possible to generate an artificial tornado even with only amechanism for revolving the suction port of the suction device.

According to another example, a negative pressure region is generatedinside the revolution zone when the suction port revolves around therevolution axis.

In this way, by arranging the negative pressure region inside therevolution zone, it is possible to further strengthen the radialvelocity vector Vr. Therefore, a powerful and stable artificial tornadocan be generated by the synthetic velocity vector Vt between thecircumferential velocity vector Vθ and the radial velocity vector Vr.

According to another example, the suction speed of the revolution zonehas a velocity gradient that decreases from the inside to the outercircumference of the revolution axis. In this way, a radial velocityvector Vr affecting in the radial direction of the circle around acenter as the revolution center 10 is generated.

According to another example, the suction device includes a drivingdevice that controls the suction port to revolve around the revolutionaxis when the suction port sucks the fluid. With such a driving device,it is possible to generate an artificial tornado more stably thanbefore.

According to another example, the suction device includes a suction portduct having the suction port, a connection duct connected to the suctionport duct, and a suction duct connected to the connection duct. Further,the suction duct extends and surrounds the revolution axis so that therevolution axis is located inside. Further, the connection duct extendsaway from the revolution axis from the opening on the suction duct sideto the opening on the suction port duct side. In addition, the suctionport duct is located away from the revolution axis. Further, when thesuction duct rotates around the revolution axis, the connection duct andthe suction port duct revolve around the revolution axis, and as aresult, the suction port revolves around the revolution axis. With sucha simple configuration, it is possible to generate an artificial tornadostably more than before.

Further, according to another example, the suction device includes arotation plate having the suction port opening, a suction port ductconnected to the rotation plate, and a suction duct connected to thesuction port duct. In addition, the suction port in the rotation plateis opened at a position distant from the revolution axis. Also, when therotation plate rotates about the revolution axis, the suction portrevolves around the revolution axis. With such a simple configuration,it is possible to generate an artificial tornado stably more thanbefore.

According to another example, the suction port rotates. By rotating thesuction port, the artificial tornado can be further strengthened andstabilized. This is because the frictional force generated on the innerwall of the suction port duct is utilized.

According to another example, the driving device controls the suctionport to revolve around the revolution axis when the suction port issucking the fluid. In this way, by operating the driving device so thatthe suction port revolves around the revolution axis while sucking thefluid, it is possible to generate an artificial tornado more stably thanbefore.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to thefollowing embodiments, but can be changed, modified, and improvedwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the firstembodiment, the revolution of the suction port 5 is realized by therotation of the suction duct 8 around the revolution axis 11.

The suction device 1 of the present embodiment has a suction port duct6, a connection duct 7, a suction duct 8, a suction pump 3, a dischargeduct 9, and a driving device (not shown). The suction port duct 6 has asuction port 5 at the side thereof farther from the connection duct 7.The suction port duct 6, the connection duct 7, and the suction duct 8rotate integrally.

When the suction port duct 6, the connection duct 7, and the suctionduct 8 rotate integrally, the suction port 5 revolves around therevolution center 10. The revolution center 10 is disposed on therevolution axis 11. The suction port 5 has a circular shape, and thecenter point of the circle is defined as the revolution point 13. Thedistance between the revolution point 13 and the revolution center 10 isdefined as the revolution radius R. The revolution zone 15 is a regioninside the shape (that is, an arc) drawn by the outermost peripheralportion of the suction port 5 when the suction port 5 revolves aroundthe revolution center 10. In addition, the outermost peripheral portionindicates the outermost circumference in the radial direction around therevolution axis 11. When the suction port 5 revolves around therevolution center 10, the inside of the suction port inner trajectory 16drawn by the innermost portion of the suction port 5 is also included inthe revolution zone 15. The term “innermost” refers to the radiallyinnermost portion centered on the revolution shaft 11.

When the suction pump 3 operates while the suction port 5 revolves, airflows into the suction port duct 6 from the suction port 5, and then theair passes through the connection duct 7, the suction duct 8, thesuction pump 3, and the discharge duct 9 in this order, and after that,the air flows out from the discharge duct 9

That is, an opening of the suction port duct 6 having the suction port 5on the side close to the connection duct 7 is connected to one openingof the connection duct 7. The other opening of the connection duct 7 isconnected to one opening of the suction duct 8. The other opening of thesuction duct 8 is connected to the suction port of the suction pump 3.One opening of the discharge duct 9 is connected to the discharge portof the suction pump 3. The other opening of the discharge duct 9 isopen.

The suction duct 8 surrounds the revolution axis 11 and extends alongthe revolution axis 11 so that the revolution axis 11 is positionedinside the suction duct 8. The connection duct 7 extends away from therevolution axis 11 from the opening of the connection duct 7 on thesuction duct 8 side to the opening of the duct 7 on the suction portduct 6 side. The suction port duct 6 extends in parallel to therevolution axis 11 at a position distant from the revolution axis 11.

When the suction duct 8 is driven by a driving device (for example, anelectric motor) not shown and rotates about the revolution axis 11 as acenter in the direction 12, the connection duct 7 and the suction portduct 6 revolve around the revolution axis 11. As a result, as describedabove, the suction port 5 revolves around the revolution center 10. Therevolution orbit of the revolution point 13 is a circle centered on therevolution center 10.

The revolution axis 11 coincides with the center line of the suctionduct 8 in the suction device 1. Therefore, when the driving device notshown controls the suction duct 8 to rotate around the center line ofthe suction duct 8, the suction port 5 revolves around the revolutionaxis 11 with the revolution radius R.

When the suction port 5 sucks air while revolving, the air forms anartificial tornado 31 and is sucked into the suction port 5. Since theair is a continuous fluid, the revolution speed N of the suction port 5is substantially equal to the revolution number of the vortex of theartificial tornado 31. The artificial tornado 31 is formed in thedirection of the revolution axis 11 on the upstream side of the suctionport 5. Therefore, a suction flow having a directivity in the directionof the revolution axis 11 caused by the artificial tornado 31 is formed.

Air around the artificial tornado 31 is hardly sucked by the artificialtornado 31 and flows toward the suction device 1 side as an accompanyingflow 33 with a low speed.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2A is a front view of the suction device 1 in this embodiment, andFIG. 2B shows a side view of the suction device 1 in this embodiment. Inthe second embodiment, revolution of the suction port 5 is realized byrotation of the rotation plate 4 about the revolution center 10. Therevolution center 10 is disposed on the revolution axis 11 as in thefirst embodiment. Although the rotation plate 4 has a disk shape, theplate may have another shape.

In FIG. 2B, the rotation plate 4 rotates around the revolution axis 11by a driving device (not shown) such as a motor. The suction port duct 6and the suction duct 8 may or may not rotate integrally with therotation plate 4.

The hole drilled in the rotation plate 4 is the suction port 5. Therotation plate 4 is connected to one opening of the suction port duct 6.The other opening of the suction port duct 6 is connected to one end ofthe suction duct 8. The center lines of the suction port duct 6 and thesuction duct 8 are the same and are the revolution axis 11, and thecenter of the rotation plate 4 is disposed on the revolution axis 11 andprovides the revolution center 10.

The other opening of the suction duct 8 is connected to the suction port5 of the suction pump 3. One opening of the discharge duct 9 isconnected to the discharge port of the suction pump 3. The other openingof the discharge duct 9 is open.

The diameter of the suction port duct 6 is larger than the diameter ofthe suction duct 8. Alternatively, the diameter of the suction port duct6 may be tapered from the one opening on the rotary plate 4 side to theother opening on the suction duct 8 side, so as to reduce air resistanceinside the suction port duct 6.

When the suction pump 3 of the suction device 1 is driven while therotation plate 4 is rotating, the air is sucked from the suction port 5,flows into the suction port duct 6 from the suction port 5, and thenflows through the suction duct 8, the suction pump 3, and the dischargeduct 9 in this order, and discharges from the other opening of thedischarge duct.

In FIG. 2A, the suction port 5 arranged in the rotation plate 4 isopened at a position away from the revolution axis 11 in the rotaryplate 4. Therefore, when the rotation plate 4 rotates, it revolves inthe revolution direction 12 around the revolution center 10.

Since the air is a continuous fluid, the revolution speed N of thesuction port 5 is substantially equal to the revolution number of thevortex of the artificial tornado 31. The suction port 5 has a circularshape, and the center point of the circle is the revolution point 13.The distance between the revolution point 13 and the revolution axis 11is defined as the revolution radius R. Due to the rotation of therotation plate 4, the revolution point 13 draws a circular revolutiontrajectory 14 with a revolution radius R.

The revolution zone 15 is a circular arc region that is drawn by theoutermost peripheral portion of the suction port 5 when the suction port5 revolves around the revolution center 10. When the suction port 5revolves around the revolution center 10, the inside of the suction portinner trajectory 16 drawn by the innermost portion of the suction port 5is also disposed in the revolution zone 15.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the suction port duct 6and the suction duct 8 surround the revolution axis 11 and extend alongthe axis 11 so as to arrange the revolution axis 11 inside the ducts 6and 8. Further, the suction port 5 is opened at a position in therotation plate 4 away from the revolution axis 11. Further, when therotation plate 4 rotates about the revolution axis 11, the suction port5 revolves around the revolution axis 11.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the followingfeatures are commonly owned. The suction port inner trajectory 16 isprovided when the revolution radius R is larger than the suction portradius, and is not provided when the revolution radius R is smaller thanthe suction port radius.

The revolution point 13 of the suction port 5 revolves around therevolution axis 11 with the revolution radius R. The shape of thesuction port 5 may be not only a circular shape but also an ellipticalshape, a square shape or the like. The revolution point 13 may not bethe center of the suction port 5 as long as the point 13 can regulatethe revolution of the suction port 5. The revolution trajectory of therevolution point 13 is indicated by a revolution locus 14. Therevolution direction 12 may be opposite to the direction shown in FIGS.1 and 2A. In this case, the flow of the vortex of the artificial tornado31 also directs to the opposite direction.

Experimental Result

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an experimental environment in whichthe suction device 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 isinstalled vertically on a floor surface 25. The revolution direction 12of the suction port 5 and the rotation direction 19 of the suction portduct 6 are the same rotation direction. When the suction port duct 6rotates in the rotation direction 19, the rotation of the autorotationin the rotation direction 35 is applied to the artificial tornado 31.The rotation of the suction port duct 6 indicates the rotation of thesuction port duct 6 with respect to the coordinate system rotatingaround the revolution axis 11 together with the suction port 5.

When the suction port 5 revolves, the accompanying flow 33 flows on thefloor surface 25 horizontally so as to be drawn toward the artificialtornado 31, and flows to the vertically upside toward the suction device1 at the vicinity of the artificial tornado 31.

FIG. 4 shows an experimental device embodying the schematic diagram ofthe experimental state shown in FIG. 3. A flow meter 53 for measuringthe air flow rate is arranged on the discharge side of the suction pump3.

The area between the suction port 5 and the floor surface 25 is theobservation region 59. The height of the observation region 59 is 200mm. The driven unit 55 corresponds to the suction port duct 6, theconnection duct 7, and the suction duct 8 shown in FIG. 3. The firstmotor 57 is a driving device that revolves the suction port 5 byrotating the driven unit 55.

A second motor 58 for rotating the suction port 5 is mounted on thelower portion of the driven unit 55. The second motor 58 moves togetherwith the driven unit 55. In order to supply power to the second motor58, a slip ring 51 having a brush function is mounted on the upperportion of the driven unit 55. The visualization observation of theartificial tornado 31 in the observation region 59 is carried out usingdry ice mist and tuft.

EXAMPLE 1

In Example 1, it is confirmed that the artificial tornado 31 isgenerated only by revolution of the suction port 5 and only by rotationof the suction port 5. FIG. 5 shows experimental conditions of Example 1and Example 2. Air volume Q is 60 m³/h. The inner diameter of thesuction port 5 is 32 mm. These features are also applies to Example 3.

Cases 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 show experimental conditions of an example inwhich the suction port 5 only rotates. This is a condition of theexample of only the rotation of the related suction port 105 and therelated suction port duct 106 shown in the example (b) of FIG. 20.

Under this experimental condition, the second motor 58 turns off, andthe revolution radius R is set to be 0 mm, and the first motor 57 turnson. Therefore, the revolution speed N in FIG. 5 actually corresponds tothe rotation speed n of the suction port 5, not the revolution speed ofthe suction port 5. Therefore, the rotation speed n is set to be 120rpm, 150 rpm, and 180 rpm, respectively.

Experimental conditions with only revolution are shown in Cases 1-4 to1-12. In Cases 1-4, 1-5, and 1-6, the revolution radius R is 10 mm. ForCase 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, the revolution radius R is 20 mm. For Case 1-10,1-11, 1-12, the revolution radius R is 30 mm.

The revolution speed N is 120 rpm, 150 rpm, and 180 rpm, respectively.Observation of the occurrence situation of the artificial tornado 31 isperformed for 3 minutes each.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show the results of Example 1. In this experimentalresult, dry ice mist is used for visualization of air flow. FIG. 6Acorresponds to Case 1-12, with revolution radius R=30 mm, revolutionspeed N=180 rpm, rotation speed n=0 rpm, and revolution only.

FIG. 6B corresponds to Case 1-3, with revolution radius R=0 mm,revolution speed N=0 rpm, rotation speed n=1800 rpm, and rotation only.

In the example of revolution only in FIG. 6A, the artificial tornado 31continues for 3 minutes without interruption during the observation, andthe thickness of the vortex tube is almost constant. On the other hand,in the case of the rotation only in FIG. 6B, the artificial tornado 31does not continue for 3 minutes but continues about 120 seconds at thelongest. In addition, the thickness of the vortex tube became thinner asit approaches the suction port 5. As described above, the artificialtornado 31 is observed strongly and fairly stably in the case of onlyrevolution as compared with the case of only rotation.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show the results of Example 1. In this experimentalresult, tuft is used for visualization of air flow. Other conditions arethe same in FIGS. 7A and 6A, and the same in FIGS. 7B and 6B.

A tuft 23 is attached to the vicinity of the intersection with therevolution axis 11 on the floor surface 25, and the suction force of theartificial tornado 31 on the floor surface 25 is observed. In theexample of revolution only in FIG. 7A, it is confirmed that theartificial tornado 31 continues without interruption and the tuft 23 islifted vertically for 3 minutes during observation. Therefore, it isconfirmed that remote suction is possible. On the other hand, with therotation only in FIG. 7B, the artificial tornado 31 is observed suchthat the tuft 23 cannot be lifted in the vertical direction. Therefore,it is confirmed that remote suction is difficult.

FIG. 8 shows the flow velocity distribution of the air in the upwarddirection when suction is performed in the experimental environment ofFIG. 4 in a state without revolution nor rotation. The flow velocity ofthe solid portion is 5 m/s or more, and the flow velocity of the whiteportion is less than 5 m/s. This flow velocity distribution is measuredby well-known PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry). In the drawing, thevertical axis corresponds to the up-down direction position with theposition of the suction port 5 as the zero point, and the horizontalaxis corresponds to the horizontal position. In the example of FIG. 8,the upward flow velocity of 5 m/s or more is realized in a semicircularregion centered on the revolution center 10 of the suction port 5. Inthis example, since the velocity field of the potential flow of the airis realized, the velocity of the air is approximately 0 m/s at aposition more than 30 mm away from the suction port 5.

FIG. 9 shows the velocity distribution measured by the PIV when thesuction port 5 revolves. The flow velocity of the solid portion is 5 m/sor more, and the flow velocity of the white portion is less than 5 m/s.The upper columns in FIG. 9 show the distribution of air flow velocityin the upward direction at various revolution speeds that realized onlyrevolution with the revolution radius R being 8 mm (that is, 0.25 timesthe inner diameter φ 32 mm of the suction port 5). The lower columns inFIG. 9 show the distribution of air flow velocity in the upwarddirection as experimental results realized by the revolution only (withthe revolution speeds of 120 rpm, 150 rpm, 180 rpm, and 210 rpm from theleft side of the column) with the revolution radius R being 12 mm (thatis, 0.375 times the inner diameter φ 32 mm of the suction port 5). Ineither case, a high-speed region is generated in the upper vicinity ofthe suction port 5 due to the revolution of the suction port 5, and thevelocity field (i.e., the artificial tornado 31) of the vortex tubehaving a high upward flow velocity toward the vertical lower end of thehigh-speed region is generated from the floor surface 25. Therefore,remote suction of the object placed on the floor surface 25 is possible.Here, the distance between the suction port 5 and the floor surface 25is 200 mm, but it is 140 mm from the suction port 5 due to measurementlimitation of PIV in FIG. 9. That is, the artificial tornado 31 isrealized even in a place far from the suction port 5.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the average of the vorticity wz of the airon the horizontal plane for a predetermined time interval under anexperiment of only the revolution with the revolution radius R of 8 mm(that is, 0.25 times the inner diameter φ 32 mm of the suction port 5),and the revolution speed of 150 rpm. The distance in the verticaldirection from the suction port of the horizontal surface is 32 mm whichis the same as the inner diameter of the suction port 5. In addition,the center position of this drawing is adjusted so as to always belocated at the center position of the air vortex tube in theabove-mentioned predetermined time interval. That is, the centerposition in the drawing is the origin of the coordinate system movingtogether with the center position of the air vortex tube. The vorticitywz has a black portion of 5000 (1/s) or more and a white portion lessthan 5000 (1/s). Therefore, a large vorticity is generated at the centerof the vortex tube of air. The arrow marked on the white portion is thecircumferential velocity Vθ of the air on the horizontal plane.

FIG. 11A shows the average value of the circumferential velocity Vθ ofthe air on the horizontal plane over the predetermined time interval inan experiment in which the revolution radius R is 8 mm, the revolutionspeed is 150 rpm, and only the revolution is performed. The distance ofthe horizontal surface from the suction port is 128 mm which is fourtimes the inner diameter of the suction port 5. In addition, the centerposition of this drawing is adjusted so as to always be located at thecenter position of the air vortex tube in the above-mentionedpredetermined time interval. The circumferential direction is thecircumferential direction centered on the center position of the vortextube. The circumferential velocity Vθ is 3 m/s or more in the blackportion and less than 3 m/s in the white portion. Therefore, the centralportion of the air vortex tube has a circumferential velocity Vθ in therange of 3 m/s or more with a donut shape, the circumferential velocityVθ at the center of the donut is small, and the upward air flow shown inFIG. 9 is large.

FIG. 11A shows the average value of the circumferential velocity Vθ ofthe air on the horizontal plane over the predetermined time interval inan experiment in which the revolution radius R is 8 mm, the revolutionspeed is 120 rpm, and only the revolution is performed. The distance ofthe horizontal surface from the suction port is 128 mm which is fourtimes the inner diameter of the suction port 5. In addition, the centerposition of this drawing is adjusted so as to always be located at thecenter position of the air vortex tube in the above-mentionedpredetermined time interval. The circumferential velocity Vθ is 3 m/s ormore in the black portion and less than 3 m/s in the white portion.Therefore, the central portion of the air vortex tube has acircumferential velocity Vθ in the range of 3 m/s or more with a donutshape, the circumferential velocity Vθ at the center of the donut issmall, and the upward air flow shown in FIG. 9 is large.

Further, FIG. 12A shows the radial distribution of the average value ofthe circumferential velocity Vθ of the air over the predetermined timeinterval. The result shown in FIG. 12A is a result obtained for sevenvariations of revolution speed N when the revolution radius R is 8 mm.The radial direction referred to here is a radial direction centered onthe center of the vortex tube at each time point. The distance of thehorizontal surface from the suction port is 128 mm which is four timesthe inner diameter of the suction port 5. In addition, the centerposition of this drawing is adjusted so as to always be located at thecenter position of the air vortex tube in the above-mentionedpredetermined time interval.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the circumferential velocity Vθ of the air vortexhas a local maximum value. The radially inner side of the local maximumvalue acts as a rigid vortex where the velocity decreases sharply andbecomes nearly 0 m/s at the center. The radially outer side of the localmaximum value acts as a free vortex that gradually decreases. That is,this vortex has a circumferential velocity distribution equivalent tothat of a general Rankine spiral type tornado.

Here, in the graph of the black circle with the revolution speed N of150 rpm, the horizontal line is drawn at the circumferential speed Vθ of3000 mm/s (i.e., 3 m/s) on the vertical axis, the upper portion of thegraph is painted black, and the lower portion is painted in white, sothat FIG. 11A is prepared.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 11A, 11B and 12A, the artificial tornado 31 has anair flow having a large velocity toward the suction port 5 and a largeair flow with a circumferential velocity Vθ having a local maximum valuetoward a suction port inside the local maximum value.

FIG. 12B is a graph showing the local maximum value in the radialdirection distribution of the circumferential velocity Vθ at eachrevolution speed N in the result shown in FIG. 12A. The horizontal axiscorresponds to the revolution speed N, and the vertical axis correspondsto the local maximum value in the radial direction distribution of thecircumferential velocity Vθ.

As shown in the drawing, the local maximum value in the radialdistribution of the circumferential velocity Vθ increases as N increasesin a range of N<120 rpm, reaches the maximum value at N=120 rpm, anddecreases as N increases in a range of N>120 rpm.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing the mechanism for generating anartificial tornado in a range of “the revolution radius R<the suctionport radius.” The suction port 5 revolves around the revolution center10 in the revolution direction 12. The rotational positions where thesuction port 5 is rotated three times by 90° are indicated by threebroken lines. The center point of the circular suction port 5 isindicated by the revolution point 13. The trajectory of the revolutionpoint 13 having the revolution radius R is indicated by the revolutionlocus 14. The suction range covered by the revolution of the suctionport 5 is defined as the revolution zone 15.

Since the suction port 5 revolves around 120 rpm while sucking air, twokinds of velocity vectors (i.e., the circumferential velocity vector Vθand the radial velocity vector Vr) affect on the air on the plane of therevolution zone 15.

Note that the circumferential velocity vector Vθ and the circumferentialvelocity Vθ are represented by the same notation, but the former is athree-dimensional vector quantity and the latter is a scalar quantity.The magnitude of the circumferential velocity vector Vθ corresponds tothe circumferential velocity Vθ.

The circumferential velocity vector Vθ is generated by drawing the airas the continuous fluid in the circumferential direction due to therevolution of the suction port 5 and affects in the circumferentialdirection of the circle centered on the revolution center 10. Theartificial tornado 31 is generated even with only the circumferentialvelocity vector Vθ.

The radial velocity vector Vr is generated due to the velocity gradientof the suction air volume in the revolution zone 15 caused by therevolution of the suction port 5, and affects in the radial direction ofa circle centered on the revolution center 10. The velocity gradient ofthe suction velocity in the revolution zone 15 increases around therevolution center 10 and decreases as it goes outward. The suction port5 is constantly sucking around the revolution axis 11, but sucksintermittently by revolution at the outside. Therefore, the radialvelocity vector Vr affects in the radial direction of a circle centeredon the revolution center 10.

Therefore, the artificial tornado 31 is more strongly and stablygenerated by the synthetic velocity vector Vt of the circumferentialvelocity vector Vθ and the radial velocity vector Vr. The syntheticvelocity vector Vt directs to the direction of the vortex of theartificial tornado 31.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the mechanism for generating anartificial tornado in a range of “the revolution radius R>the suctionport radius.” The suction port 5 revolves around the revolution axis 11in the revolution direction 12. Three broken lines indicate thepositions where the suction port 5 is rotated three times by 90°. Thecenter point of the circular suction port 5 is indicated by therevolution point 13. The trajectory of the revolution point 13 havingthe revolution radius R is indicated by the revolution locus 14. Thesuction range covered by the revolution of the suction port 5 is definedas the revolution zone 15. In the vicinity of the revolution center 10,there is a suction port inner trajectory 16 which is the innertrajectory of the suction port 5.

Since the suction port 5 revolves about 120 rpm while sucking air, twotypes of velocity vectors affect on the air in the revolution zone 15.

The circumferential velocity vector Vθ is generated by drawing the airas the continuous fluid in the circumferential direction due to therevolution of the suction port 5 and affects in the circumferentialdirection of the circle centered on the revolution center 10. Theartificial tornado 31 is generated even with only the circumferentialvelocity vector Vθ.

The radial velocity vector Vr is generated due to the velocity gradientof the suction air volume in the revolution zone 15 caused by therevolution of the suction port 5, and affects in the radial direction ofa circle centered on the revolution center 10. The velocity gradient ofthe suction velocity in the revolution zone 15 becomes larger near theoutside of the suction port inner trajectory 16 and becomes smaller asit goes outward. This is because the suction port 5 intermittently sucksby revolution, the time interval of suction near the outside of thesuction port inner trajectory 16 is short, and, on the other hand, thetime interval of suction outside the revolution zone 15 becomes longer.Therefore, the radial velocity vector Vr affects in the radial directionof a circle centered on the revolution center 10.

Also, the inside (i.e., the static pressure) of the suction port innertrajectory 16 becomes negative pressure as compared with the atmosphericpressure. That is, the state inside the suction port inner trajectory 16is equivalent to the suction from the closed space, and the staticpressure becomes negative pressure. The reason why the inside of thesuction port inner trajectory 16 is in the same state as the closedspace is that, since the suction port 5 sucks air at the same time ashigh-speed rotation of about 120 rpm (i.e., 2 times/second), the suckingof the air on the outside of the revolution zone 15 becomes the suctionstate from the open space, but the sucking of the air from the inside ofthe suction port inner trajectory 16 becomes the suction state from thelimited space. Therefore, due to this negative pressure, the radialvelocity vector Vr affecting in the radial direction of the circlecentered on the revolution center 10 is increased.

Hereinafter, the result of subtracting the pressure (i.e., the staticpressure) at a certain position from the atmospheric pressure (i.e., thestatic pressure) is defined as the negative pressure level at thecertain position. In the revolution zone 15, the negative pressure levelin the radial direction center portion is larger than the negativepressure level in the radial direction outer peripheral portion locatedradially outside the radial direction center portion around therevolution center 10. More specifically, the negative pressure level inthe revolution zone 15 decreases as the distance from the revolutioncenter 10 increases.

Therefore, the powerful artificial tornado 31 is generated by thesynthetic velocity vector Vt of the circumferential velocity vector Vθand the radial velocity vector Vr. The synthetic velocity vector Vtdirects to the direction of the vortex of the artificial tornado 31.

Also in case of “revolution radius R<suction port radius” shown in FIG.13, since a situation for sucking from a range limited to the inside ofthe revolution zone 15 occurs, a negative pressure is generated. Thus,it is possible to form an artificial tornado 31 which is a directionalflow from the suction flow by revolving the suction port 5.

When the artificial tornado 31 occurs in the revolution zone 15 by theabove-described mechanism, the artificial tornado 31 develops toward theupstream side of the suction port 5 of the revolution axis 11. Since theair is a continuous fluid, the revolution speed N of the suction port 5is substantially equal to the revolution number of the vortex of theartificial tornado 31.

At this time, the artificial tornado 31 primarily sucks air from its tipportion and does not suck much from the side thereof. The accompanyingflow 33 gently flows toward the outside of the revolution zone 15 of thesuction device 1 and is disposed on the side of the artificial tornado31.

Therefore, the suction device 1 performs the suction withdirectionality. This directional suction enables remote suction toefficiently suck gas and floating matter disposed in a specific space ofthe free space in the atmosphere.

The artificial tornado 31 generated in this way includes an upward flow,a circumferential flow, and an inward flow due to a negative pressure.Then, the configuration of the revolution zone 15 induces thecircumferential flow and the inward flow in the artificial tornado 31.The upward flow is generated even without the revolution zone 15 (thatis, even if the suction port 5 does not revolve).

Further, in the case of “revolution radius R>suction port radius,” thestatic pressure inside the suction port inner trajectory 16 becomes anegative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure (i.e., the staticpressure). As a result, the artificial tornado 31 located outside thesuction port inner trajectory 16 is pulled inside the suction port innertrajectory 16. As a result, the artificial tornado 31 is maintainedstably for a long period as compared with a related art.

Also in the case of “revolution radius R≤suction port radius,” thestatic pressure in the vicinity of the revolution axis 11 (specifically,inside the revolution locus 14) is a negative pressure that is lowerthan the atmospheric pressure. As a result, the artificial tornado 31outside the suction port inner trajectory 16 is pulled to the negativepressure region. As a result, the artificial tornado 31 is maintainedstably for a long period as compared with a related art.

EXAMPLE 2

In the example 2, the generation situation of the artificial tornado 31due to the revolution radius R is observed. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B showthe results of Example 2. In this experimental result, dry ice mist isused for visualization of air flow.

FIG. 15A corresponds to Cases 1-10, with the revolution radius R=30 mm,the revolution speed N=120 rpm, the rotation speed n=0 rpm, and therevolution radius R of only revolution=30 mm. FIG. 15B corresponds toCases 1-5, with the revolution radius R=10 mm, the revolution speedN=120 rpm, the rotation speed n=0 rpm, and the revolution radius R ofonly revolution=10 mm. The artificial tornado 31 is more stablygenerated from the low rotation speed (i.e., 120 rpm) with therevolution radius R=30 mm than the revolution radius R=10 mm. cl EXAMPLE3

In Example 3, the rotation of the suction port 5 is simultaneouslyapplied to the revolution of the suction port 5, and the artificialtornado 31 is observed. The direction of rotation is the same directionas the revolution direction 12. This is for reinforcing the artificialtornado 31 caused by the revolution of the suction port 5 by rotatingthe suction port duct 6.

FIG. 16 shows experimental conditions of Example 3. In Cases 2-1 to2-36, the artificial tornado 31 is observed under 36 conditions.

FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B show the results of Example 3. In thisexperimental result, dry ice mist is used for visualization of air flow.FIG. 17A corresponds to Cases 1-5, with revolution radius R=10 mm,revolution speed N=120 rpm, rotation speed n=0 rpm, and revolution only.

FIG. 17B corresponds to Cases 2-11, which is a condition that therevolution and the rotation are simultaneously applied at the revolutionradius R=10 mm, the revolution speed N=120 rpm, and the rotation speedn=120 rpm. The artificial tornado 31 is further stabilized when therotation is applied, as compared with the case of only revolution.

FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B show the results of Example 3. In thisexperimental result, tuft 23 is used for visualization of air flow. Theother conditions are the same as those in FIGS. 17A and 17B. Compared tothe case of only revolution, it is confirmed such that the taft 23 islifted much higher and the suction power is increased when the rotationis applied to the revolution.

By rotating the suction port duct 6 in the rotation direction 19, therotation force in the rotation direction 35 is applied to the artificialtornado 31 as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the artificial tornado 31becomes more powerful.

The shape of the revolution trajectory of the revolution trajectory 14may be not only a circular shape but also an elliptical shape, arectangular shape, or a hexagonal shape. The shape of the suction port 5may be not only a circular shape but also an elliptical shape, a squareshape, or a hexagonal shape. The strength of the artificial tornado isadjusted by controlling the size (such as a radius) of the suction port5, the suction flow rate, the revolution radius R, and the revolutionspeed N. The experimental device of FIG. 4 can rotate the suction port5, the generation action of the artificial tornado 31 of the suctiondevice 1 of the present invention is caused by the revolution of thesuction port 5.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19.The air conditioner 60 of the present embodiment is fixed to the ceilingor the side wall of the room. In order to heat the room, the airconditioner 60 heats the air and blows the heated air 61 obliquelydownward in the room. In general, during the air heating in the room,the cool air 64 stays below the room and the warm air tends to stayabove the room. Such a temperature distribution may lead todeterioration of the heating efficiency since the living space below theroom is not warmed up.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, the air conditioner 60 of thepresent embodiment has the suction device 1 according to the firstembodiment or the second embodiment. The suction port 5 of the suctiondevice 1 opens vertically downward in the room or obliquely downward inthe vertical direction.

The operation mode of the suction device 1 is the same as in the firstand second embodiments. When the suction port 5 sucks the air, thesuction port 5 revolves around the revolution axis 11, so that anartificial tornado 63 is generated. When the artificial tornado 63 isgenerated, the cool air below the room is sucked into the suction port5. As a result, the air (specifically, the warm air) blown out from theair conditioner 60 moves downward in the room as indicated by an arrow62. As a result, the warm air reaches the lower end of the room asindicated by an arrow 62, the temperature in the lower side of the roomrises, and the temperature difference between the upper and lower sidesis reduced, so that the heating efficiency is improved.

The cool air sucked by the suction device 1 is heated inside the airconditioner 60, and then blown out again into the room.

According to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the thirdembodiment and the examples, the present invention provides thefollowing operations and effects.

First, a suction device 1 having a suction port 5 for sucking a fluidrevolves around a revolution axis 11 so that a revolution zone 15 isformed. By revolving the suction port 5 and forming the revolution zone15, the air is drawn into the suction port 5 in the circumferentialdirection, and thereby generating the circumferential velocity vector Vθin the revolution zone 15. The circumferential velocity vector Vθgenerates a strong and stable artificial tornado 31.

Since the artificial tornado 31 is generated only by the mechanism forrevolving the suction port 5 of the suction device 1, the suction device1 is made compact. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate a large-sizedduct, a hood, and a blower for a jet flow that generates a swirlingflow, which are necessary before. However, the suction device 1 of theabove-described embodiments may be used in combination with a duct, ahood, and a blower for a jet flow that generates the swirling flow.

The suction speed of the revolution zone 15 has a velocity gradient thatdecreases from the inside to the outer periphery of the revolution axis.A radial velocity vector Vr affecting in the radial direction of acircle centered on the revolution center 10 is generated by a velocitygradient that decreases from the inside to the outer periphery of therevolution axis.

Also, there is a negative pressure region inside the revolution zone 15.By a negative pressure region inside the revolution zone 15, the radialvelocity vector Vr is further strengthened.

Therefore, a powerful and stable artificial tornado can be generated bythe synthetic velocity vector Vt between the circumferential velocityvector Vθ and the radial velocity vector Vr.

Further, the suction device 1 has a suction duct which is connected to asuction port duct having a suction port 5 and rotates around therevolution axis. With the suction duct 8 that is connected to thesuction port duct 6 having the suction port and rotates around therevolution axis 11, the revolution of the suction port 5 is performedonly by the rotation of the suction duct 8. As a result, the mechanismfor revolving the suction port 5 is directly connected to the rotationof the motor, so that the mechanism is simplified.

Also, the suction port 5 rotates around the revolution point. Byrotating the suction port 5 around the revolution point 13, theartificial tornado is made stronger and more stable. This is because thefrictional force generated on the inner wall of the suction port duct 6is utilized.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The suction device 1 of the present invention may be used for a dustcollector, a ventilator, an exhaust device, a low pressure generator,and the like. Specifically, they are a vacuum cleaner, a chip removingdevice of a machine tool, a dust collector of a blast furnace, a smokeeliminating device, a smoke evacuating device of a grilled meat shop, aliquid level control device, and the like, and the dust collection,ventilation, exhaust, etc. is performed efficiently using the artificialtornado 31. Further, dust and the like scattered in a specific region inthe air is collected by focusing on the specific region by theartificial tornado 31. With the artificial tornado 31, catching harmfulmosquitoes and the like during flight is also possible. The fluid suckedby the suction device 1 may be not only air, but also other gases suchas hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and the like. Alternatively, the fluid maybe liquid (such as water, alcohol, etc.).

While the present disclosure has been described with reference toembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited to the embodiments and constructions. The present disclosure isintended to cover various modification and equivalent arrangements. Inaddition, while the various combinations and configurations, othercombinations and configurations, including more, less or only a singleelement, are also within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suction device comprising: a suction portrevolving around a revolution axis and sucking a fluid.
 2. The suctiondevice according to claim 1, wherein: the suction port revolves aroundthe revolution axis to provide a revolution zone in a region inside atrajectory shape drawn by an outermost circumferential portion of thesuction port.
 3. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein: whenthe suction port revolves around the revolution axis, a negativepressure area is generated inside the revolution zone.
 4. The suctiondevice according to claim 2, wherein: a suction speed of the revolutionzone has a velocity gradient that decreases from an inside to an outercircumference of the revolution axis.
 5. The suction device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a driving device for revolving the suctionport around the revolution axis when the suction port sucks the fluid.6. The suction device according to claim 1, further comprising: asuction port duct having the suction port; a connection duct connectedto the suction port duct; and a suction duct connected to the connectionduct, wherein: the suction duct extends along and surrounds therevolution axis to arrange the revolution axis inside the suction duct;the connection duct extends from one opening of the duct on a suctionduct side to another opening of the duct on a suction port duct side tobe away from the revolution axis; the suction port duct is disposed at aposition distant from the revolution axis; and when the suction ductrotates about the revolution axis, the connection duct and the suctionport duct revolve around the revolution axis, and the suction portrevolves around the revolution axis.
 7. The suction device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a rotation plate with opening the suctionport; a suction port duct connected to the rotation plate; and a suctionduct connected to the suction port duct, wherein: the suction port isopened at a position of the rotation plate, which is disposed away fromthe revolution axis; and when the rotation plate rotates about therevolution axis, the suction port revolves around the revolution axis.8. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein: the suction portrotates.
 9. A driving device for revolving a suction port around arevolution axis when the suction port sucks a fluid.